Increased agitation and advocacy for the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s judiciary as constitutionally provided by members of the bar, and judiciary staff union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

This push and advocacy championed by judicial workers resulted in the protracted shutdown of Nigerian courts by its strike action mid last year.

Amongst many things, it is widely believed that financial autonomy for the judiciary will help salvage the dilapidated state of infrastructure across courts in the country which are held to be unbefitting for the dignity of the judiciary as an arm of government.

In a trending video which has resurrected concerns about the need for judicial autonomy, the sorry state of the Magistrate Court, Bende in Abia State, South East Nigeria, is exposed as an eyesore that brings to fore the rot in judicial infrastructure due to abandonment by the government and lack of control of its own resources.

The video shows the dishonourable state of the Court as it sits in a ruined structure with no roof over the head of the litigants and the Magistrate. Lawyers and litigants are also compelled to sit on the floor as the Furnitures are worn out and broken, even as the Court’s immediate presents a security and health threat to litigants and the Magistrate as it is left exposed and unkept.

It is hoped that the authorities will initiate measures to renovate the court and similar structures across the country even as the push for financial autonomy of the judiciary is intensified by those concerned through the ongoing constitutional amendment process.